How To Paint Wash Furniture
Recently I had a good friend reach out to me about painting a few pieces of her for her daughter (who is also friends with my daughter, so fun)! They were vintage maple pieces that had been in their family for years, and were in great condition, but didn’t match the style of her daughter’s bedroom. After coming up with some different ideas (including painting) we landed on this light wood finish using a paint wash.
So what the heck is a paint wash anyway? Simply put, it’s a water-based paint that has been watered down so that it acts more like a stain. You’ve heard the terms whitewash, blackwash, or maybe even tanwash. These are all types of paintwashes in various colors. You can really use any color you like!
Preparing for the paint wash
For this project, we wanted to keep the finish light. So after using my carbide scraper and sander to remove the finish, I bleached the wood using my favorite wood bleach. I then sanded the whole piece smooth again. I liked the overall wood tone, but there were two reasons not to just seal it up and call it a day. First, maple can be naturally splotchy and uneven, and this was the case here. Second, a sealer will usually darken the wood finish, so adding some pigmented color will keep that color true after sealing.
Making the paint wash
As I mentioned at the start, a paint wash is simply water mixed into your paint. The ratio can vary depending on the type of paint you are using, how opaque you want the finish to be, and really just personal preference. For this project, I used a 1:3 ratio of paint to water. I like mine to be on the thinner side – I would rather do several thin coats than have it be too opaque.
Color is another consideration. Paint washes are a great way to get rid of any pink or yellow undertones in your wood. For example, a neutral paint with a hint of green will mask pink undertones. After bleaching the wood, I didn’t have any color I was trying to mask. I wanted a basic tan, so I picked the color Stone by Melange Paints.
How to apply
- Using a mister bottle, wet the surface you are working on. This step will keep the paint wash from soaking in/drying too quickly.
- Brush the paint wash over the entire surface.
- Working quickly, wipe back any excess (I like to use these shop rags). It’s important not to allow the paint wash to start to dry during this step, otherwise, you will pull the paint off unevenly with your rags. Use the mister bottle to keep things damp if necessary.
Sealing the paint wash
Similar to a painted finish, I use a water-based topcoat to seal my paintwashed finishes. An oil-based topcoat will yellow over time and change the color of the piece. More details on how I seal painted furniture can be found in this link.
After sealing this dresser up, I added some fun finishing touches – drawer liners and new hardware. And that’s it! A great way to give a modern update to a dated vintage piece. My client and her daughter are thrilled that a piece of their family history is now a feature in their home, and that’s the most important part!
Other articles you might like:
- Lining Drawers in Furniture and Cabinets
- How to Bleach Wood Furniture
- Stripping and Staining Furniture
- How to Seal Painted Furniture: Protecting With a Topcoat
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Want to learn more about all things furniture? Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get the latest updates and exclusive content.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through those links, at no cost to you. I appreciate your support.